LAFAYETTE — Bishop Johnson battled injuries a year ago during a frustrating junior season where his individual stats did not match his talent level.

With injuries in the rear view, the 5-foot-8, 166-pound senior receiver who already has verbally committed to play for Army was eager for a big senior season.

Through three games, Johnson looks like the Division I caliber player most thought he would be during his high school football career.

On Friday night, he enjoyed a career game in Class 6A No. 4 Lafayette Jeff's 47-12 victory over McCutcheon, catching six passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns and also returning a 68-yard punt return for a score. It was his third and fourth receiving toucuhdowns of the year and his second return touchdown to go with a 97-yard kickoff return against West Lafayette.

"I wasn’t extremely happy with the way my season personally was going but I was happy for my team," Johnson said. "These three games, it’s been amazing. Honestly, everybody else is doing the job for me. I am just running with the ball."

Lafayette Jeff tail back Thomas Hogan (28) turns around in the end zone after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter of an IHSAA football game, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 at Scheumann Stadium in Lafayette. Lafayette Jeff won, 47-12. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Last season, Derrick Matthews enjoyed a breakout junior year with 51 receptions for 960 yards and 12 touchdown catches.

But his performance was overshadowed by senior Brian Jenkins, who had 20 touchdown catches.

Against the Mavericks, he caught two touchdowns during a six-reception, 113-yard night against the Mavericks and made a highlight play, taking a 2-yard checkdown pass to the house for 70 yards.

"You have a kid like that who had a lot of success junior year, you have not seen a fall off with his effort and his attention to detail. It’s improved," Lafayette Jeff coach Pat Shanley said. "It is neat to see kids working to improve their craft and Derrick will probably be out here tomorrow getting 250 extra catches because he is happy with the result but disappointed a little bit in the things he left on the table."

Speedsters Johnson and Matthews help make a high-powered offense that shows no signs of slowing down.

Jeff was scoreless during a running clock the entire second half, but had five scoring drives that lasted 41 seconds or less during the first half and another that was 2:06 Friday night.

Through three games, the Bronchos (3-0) are averaging 49 points.

But it's not just the receiving group.

"We are an all-around team. It’s nice that nobody gets too caught up in how many touches they’re getting," said quarterback Maximus Grimes, who was 14 of 20 for 318 yards in the first half. "Everybody knows that everybody on the field is a playmaker and everyone is going to make plays.

"Whether it’s your week or not, everyone stays engaged. Brady (Preston) didn’t have a huge game tonight, but you see him blocking down the sideline. That is how we play. Everyone wants to touch the ball, but at the end of the day, it’s all about the team."

Though the Bronchos did not run the ball much Friday night, they showed the big play capability out of the backfield, too.

Thomas Hogan and Marquis Munoz both scored on the ground and Lafayette Jeff needed just 14 carries to gain 149 yards.

"We have a lot of versatility on our offense," Johnson said. "You may shut down the run, you may shut down the pass, but you're not shutting down both."

As much as everyone wants to touch the ball and make plays, no one wants to take the credit.

Instead, they defer the credit elsewhere.

"It is the blockers," Matthews said.

And they stay hungry.

"Come back tomorrow and watch film and see what we did wrong and learn from it," Matthews added.

Last year, Lafayette Jeff cruised through the final eight weeks of the regular season.

This time, the Bronchos were tested twice in their first two games before getting an all-around dominant showing Friday night.

Still, they point to their nine penalties, fumbled punt return and miscues on extra point tries as areas that need cleaned up.

"We are by no means our best yet," Johnson said.

Sam King covers high school sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.